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Runoff from the rain event on Thursday is working its way through the system leaving several waterfront communities still without access to their properties.

Water levels have been holding more or less steady for the last few hours. A definite peak has not yet been reached but can be expected today. Cooler temperatures overnight have slowed the runoff process. Temperatures of over 10 degrees forecast for today will cause much of the remaining snow and ice to melt and run off today which will keep levels up for the short term.

Once a definite decline of levels begins, Parks Canada staff will need to begin releasing water from the reservoir lakes upstream of Smiths Falls to relieve high levels on the lakes. Every effort will be made to keep the release close to the rate of decline on the Long Reach between Burritts Rapids and Manotick to avoid increasing water levels again in the communities first hit on Thursday.

Water levels on the Jock River rose through Friday causing some properties in and around Richmond to have access issues and their sump pumps running. Flooding in Ottawa South adjacent to and in Windsor Park and in Ottawa East in Brantwood Park has closed the streets and park pathway.

Weather forecasts call for 10 millimetres of rain on Tuesday and continued warm daytime temperatures. The warm temperatures will continue to take the frost out of the soil and melt the last stubborn snow and ice in sheltered areas. The rain is likely to slow the rate of recession of water levels for a brief time.

As with all of these messages, we want to emphasize the need for caution near the cold and, in some places, fast moving water. Parents need to make their children aware of the danger.

Conservation Authority staff will continue to monitor conditions and will issue updates as warranted.

RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:

Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.

Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.